The ramblings of a pilgrim through time, space, and life.

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Springville

Here is a picture of our latest visitors here in Oklahoma City. Kevin and Jean Gore from Walkden, Greater Manchester, England. They visited and stayed with us for two evenings and about two days.

I first come to know the Gores in 1998 as I was preparing to leave for my mission to the UK. The Bishop from the Hazelton Ward, Paul Tateoka, sent word through his brother in my ward, Ted Tateoka, that I needed to call this couple from the UK.

The Gores were staying with one of the missionaries who had brought them into the church, who lived 5 miles or so down the road from me. I called the Meacham home and had a nice visit with Kevin for about 30 minutes or so. I obviously had my mission call, but I do not recall knowing that they lived in my mission. Kevin knew I was in the mission so he told me a few interesting things and we hung up the phone.

I admit I completely forgot about this conversation with Kevin Gore until my first Sunday serving in the Eccles Ward (now Swinton) of the Manchester England Stake. I stood there shaking hands with members and introducing myself when a man asked if I was Elder Ross from Hazelton, Idaho. I apparently looked dumbfounded so he informed me that I had spoken with him on the phone before my mission. Granted, this was the first time I laid eyes on him. Well, that started a relationship that has now come down through the years. I served in the Eccles Ward for about 6 months, although since there were two sets of missionaries, me and my companion had the other half of the ward.

The Gores were probably one of the closest families I had in that ward, although there were a couple. Before we left late in 1999, Kevin and Jean Gore treated all four of the missionaries to a very nice roasted duck dinner.

Time has a way of marching on, and so it has done with this friendship. Brad Hales, Amy Hales, and I visited the Gores again in the summer of 2003 when we went to England for a convert baptism of a lady who Elder Hales and I had once taught (in Runcorn Ward). I think we spent two evenings with them at that time, although our time was limited because they were working and we had other people in the area we also visited, but Jean made us a roasted duck dinner again! We did not request it, but she made it, and it was fabulous. We again enjoyed our time with them, although limited.

The Gores were kind enough to invite us to the wedding of their son, Ian, in Springville, Utah in 2004. Brad Hales and I visited, partook of the food (no roasted duck!), and enjoyed a good evening with our British friends. The Gores came to visit Utah in 2008 again, but we were only able to enjoy a light dinner at Olive Garden together (again, no duck, only in England!).

Amanda and I made the trek over the water again in 2008. This time we again spent 2 nights with the Gores in their home on Trinity Crescent. Both in 2003 and 2008 I knew the neighborhood well enough I could still drive to the home without much difficulty. Jean once again made her now famous roasted duck dinner! I honestly think this is the only times I have ever eaten duck in the past decade, if ever in my life (other than what they call duck at the Chinese buffet). The Gores were more than kind in allowing us to stay with them, use their computers, talk family history, and even hosted a little get together of other members of the Swinton Ward I still knew and asked about.

Here we are in 2011, 13 years later after the phone conversation, and the Gores have come to visit us! Sorry, we did not treat them to a roasted duck dinner. It would have been an insult to Jean’s cooking. Their son, Ian, had moved from Springville, Utah to Bentonville, Arkansas. Kevin and Jean wanted to come down to visit the Oklahoma City Temple and, we feign to believe, us. We drove out to Pops Soda Shop in Arcadia. We also ate out at our favorite little Mexican joint and then we treated them to capers and artichoke pasta the night we made them dinner. We played a couple of games of Ticket to Ride and just enjoyed our time together. Thanks for being such great friends and keeping in contact through the years!

When is the next time we will see the Gores? And, the question you all want to know, will there by duck involved?

I am writing from sunny and green Idaho. The amazing thing is another rain-storm is pondering the roll through right now. The reservoirs are all full and life seems to be looking pretty good here. The locals say it has been a bit humid for the past few days, but I can handle 20 or 30% humidity with little issue. Especially after 100+ Oklahoma with a heat index into the cent teens. I thought I would share a couple of thoughts of our little trip.

This morning found us at the bright and beautiful Twin Falls Temple. I will have to post some pictures later, but it was a full session. It was a clear morning and we could not have asked for more. We ran into my cousin on the session and it was fun to catch up with her. We took some pictures after we got out as Dad and Jan were going in. Amanda needed some R&R so we came back and crashed for this afternoon. We did have lunch with Ms. Felicia Poteet and her cutest daughter, Evie. I am glad I have friends, that I get to hang out with them, and learn from their life experiences. Where would we be without family and friends?

The week was busy getting Derek off into the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo. All went off, pretty much without a hitch, on Wednesday. His farewell went well, he spoke well, and the family congregated to the Hemsley home in Kaysville. All enjoyed the food, spent some good quality time with family, and plenty of stories. I was exhausted after the whole thing and I didn’t even have a role to play in the open house. There must have been 50-70 people who came through the home during the open house. We helped Derek pack, finish shopping, fulfill a few last requests, and enter the MTC. We also had a meeting or two with friends of Amanda’s from high school to catch up on old times. We stopped to visit Amanda’s Grandpa in Springville, Utah as well.

We drove up to Idaho yesterday but took our time doing it. We took the old highway from Snowville up through Strevell, Bridge, City of Rocks, Oakley, and home. Everything was so green from all the rain and it looked good. We enjoyed the drive. We took some pictures of the old homes in Elba, Idaho. Someday we want to design our own home with a design that is both unique but that has some classic designs, one of which is found in the early pioneer homes.

Tonight we head off to a melodrama at the restored Wilson Theatre in Rupert. Tomorrow morning we have the Scout Breakfast at the Rupert Square and then we will watch the parade. Tomorrow is also Dad’s birthday. Jan’s was last week. We treated them to dinner last night and the show tonight. I am certainly looking forward to the parade. Then we drive back down to Kaysville to watch fireworks at fly out Sunday Morning.

Tuesday Derek and I went hiking up Adams Canyon near Kaysville, Fruit Heights, Layton. We hiked it very quickly and then pretty much jogged all the way down. I sure did hurt the next day. I thought I was getting old but Derek felt the same way the next day so it wasn’t just me! We also got some pictures at the waterfall which I will have to share as well. Anyhow, no nuggets of truth in this entry. I don’t do them as often as I used to. Someday I will be smart and have something to offer…